Most Rev. Matthew Harvey Clark

Installed as the Eighth Bishop of Rochester June 26, 1979

Born: July 15, 1937 in Waterford, N.Y., near Albany

Parents: M. Harvey and Grace (Bills) Clark (both deceased)

Education

Public School 1, Waterford, New York; Catholic Central High School, Troy; Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass.; Mater Christi Seminary, Albany; St. Bernard's Seminary, Rochester; North American College, Rome, Italy; Gregorian University, Rome, Italy.

A NEW BISHOP Then-Father Matthew Clark is ordained a Bishop by Pope John Paul II in May 1979 at St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican

Chronology

1962: Ordained a priest in Rome, Italy, by Bishop Martin O'Connor in the
Church of Christ the King, Dec.19, 1962.

1963: Awarded a Licenciate in Theology (S.T.L.) from Gregorian University in Rome

1963 - 1964: Taught at the Vincentian Institute in Albany while serving at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Albany

1964 - 1966: Studied at the Gregorian University, Rome, and was awarded a Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.) in 1966

1966 - 1967: Served as Vice-Chancellor, Diocese of Albany

1967 - 1972: Served as assistant Pastor, St. Ambrose Parish, Latham, N.Y.

1969 - 1972: Chairperson, Priests' Personnel Board, Diocese of Albany

1972 - 1974: Served as Assistant Spiritual Director, North American College, Rome

1974 - 1979: Served as Spiritual Director, North American College, Rome

May 27, 1979

Ordained a Bishop in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, by Pope John Paul II

June 26, 1979

Installed as eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Rochester, in ceremonies attended by thousands at the War Memorial in downtown Rochester

Current Boards and Committees: Episcopal Advisory Council, Region II, National Association of Catholic Chaplains. 

"GOD'S LOVE ENDURES FOREVER"

Bishop Matthew H. Clark's coat of arms was devised shortly before his ordination as a bishop. The symbols on it relate both to the Diocese of Rochester and to his own life. The left side of the shield bears the diocesan Cross of St. Andrew with a crescent in the center. The diocesan shield was designed in the 1930s by Pierre LaRose. The St. Andrew's Cross was taken from the coat of arms of the original Diocese of Rochester in England. LaRose distinguished the new design from the original, however, by changing a scallop shell in the center to the crescent symbol of the Immaculate Conception.

In addition, the figure emphasizes the bishop as the successor to the apostles, and the bishop's charge to preach and live the Word of God faithfully and to witness to the Resurrection. The banner beneath the coat of arms bears the motto, "God's Love Endures Forever."

The hat with the tassels indicates that the shield is that of a bishop.

On the right side the cross of Pope John Paul II is displayed, indicating Bishop Clark's respect for him as a man and for his office. In the upper left of this side a crescent again appears, signifying the Immaculate Conception, the pure disciple of God's Work, the Patroness of the United States, of the Diocese of Albany, of the North American College and of the chapel at St. Bernard's Seminary.

The name Matthew has been carried by three generations of the Clark family: Bishop Clark, his father and grandfather. The winged figure which appears in the lower right corner represents St. Matthew, apostle.